Online Reporter
Muchaneta Chimuka
A WOMAN was forced to choose between being raped by a lizard or her ritual-obsessed ex-boyfriend who claimed a sangoma had ordered him to “cleanse” her.
Tatenda Justice Charamba, a 25-year-old Chitungwiza City Council employee, will spend a long stretch behind bars after being convicted on three counts of rape. Magistrate Gloria Takundwa slapped him with 30 years, suspending 10 on the usual conditions, leaving him to serve an effective 20-year jail term.
The court heard a disturbing tale that stunned the gallery and left the victim traumatised. According to Public Prosecutor Tendai Ruwocha, the accused terrorised his ex-girlfriend using threats, rituals and bizarre claims of a “relationship covenant” that he said would ruin her future marriage. He boasted that he had performed rituals with a used condom from their past relationship, insisting she had to help him “undo” the spell.
The nightmare escalated on 19 March when Charamba dragged the terrified woman to an entertainment spot near Manyame Dam. Carrying a bottle filled with the used condom, a snake, a feather and a red cloth with their names, he threatened her with death before throwing the concoction into the dam.
Two days later, he returned demanding they redo the ritual since she was supposed to throw the bottle herself. When she refused to sleep with him, Charamba issued a sickening ultimatum. According to court papers, “he threatened her that he was going to bring a snake, frog and a lizard to have sex with her.”
The woman refused again until the accused gave her a chilling choice. Out of desperation, she chose the lizard. Charamba produced the reptile in a container and left her in fear of her life.
On 22 March, after being told by his sangoma that the ritual had to be completed “before end of day,” Charamba demanded sex once more. Overwhelmed by fear, the complainant went to his house at 3pm. She was raped again, this time with protection, as he told her they needed to repeat the process twice more “without skipping.”
On the next count, he used the same ritual threats to force another encounter.
The victim finally broke her silence on 4 June, confiding in a friend who urged her to tell her pastor. The pastor directed her straight to the police, leading to Charamba’s arrest. Her medical report was produced in court.
